Occasionally cadets were invited to dine at some of the professor’s quarters, but even then we were required to get a permit before we could accept invitations. General U⸺n, the Commandant, made it a rule to invite all of the members of the first class (a few at a time) to dine at his quarters, as may be seen from the following invitation, to-wit:
“The Comd’t of Cadets will be pleased to see Cadets London, O’Connor, Paddock and Reed, H. T., at tea this evening after parade till 8:30 p. m.
As every cadet who graduates at the Military Academy may at his option enter the army as a Second Lieutenant, he can choose his corps or arm of the service in accordance with his class standing, and after the first of June he makes application substantially as follows:
“United States Military Academy, West Point, N. Y.
The Adjutant General, U. S. Army, Washington, D. C.
Sir:—I have the honor to apply for a commission as 2nd Lieutenant in the U. S. Army in the Arm and Regiments as follows: _______________________________. My address for the ensuing month will be ____________________.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
___________________________ Graduated Cadet, U. S. M. A.”
The “diploma” given to graduates is reproduced on another page, and the following is the wording on it, to-wit:
Be it known that Cadet ________ of the State of ________, having been carefully examined on all of the branches of the Arts, Science and of Literature taught at the United States Military Academy, has been judged worthy to receive the degree required by law, preparatory to his advancement in the U. S. Army.
In testimony whereof, and by virtue of authority vested in the Academic Staff, we do confer upon him this Diploma, and recommend him to the President for promotion in ____.
Given at West Point in the State of New York, this __ day of ____, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and ____.”
It is signed by the members of the Academic Board in the order of their rank, and entered in the “Register of Graduates” that is kept at the Academy.
On the first of June the President of the United States, the Board of Visitors and others arrived, especially to witness the examinations of the graduating class. The usual salute, review, drills, fireworks and hop were on the program. All the members of my class, after having spent four years at the Academy, fully expected to graduate, but one of the number was found deficient and discharged on the last day. The weather on graduating day was perfect, and at the appointed hour my class was escorted by the Corps of Cadets to the grove in front of the Library, where a stand had been erected for the President, Secretary of War, Board of Visitors and invited guests.